During perimenopause and postmenopause, many women experience increased fat accumulation around the waist and abdomen.
A study published in Menopause suggests that visceral fat—the fat stored around internal organs in the abdominal area—during this period may be linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline.
اضافة اعلان
Visceral fat accumulation is associated with lower estrogen levels, reduced insulin sensitivity, and increased inflammation, all of which can negatively affect memory and executive brain functions. This type of fat is considered particularly harmful because it also increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The study included over 700 women aged 42–58, in the early postmenopause phase (less than 36 months since their last menstrual period). Waist-to-hip ratio was used to assess central obesity, and participants were divided into three groups: one receiving oral estrogen, one using transdermal estradiol, and a placebo group.
Results showed that women with higher waist-to-hip ratios performed worse on cognitive tests, especially in visual attention and executive functions over four years of follow-up. There was no significant difference between hormone therapy and placebo in preserving cognitive abilities.
Researchers emphasized the importance of preventing cognitive decline in early postmenopause, even for women with a low cardiovascular risk profile.
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